Quote:
nyev OP
947 posts
I pretty much expect the trolls to emerge whenever posting about cables, lol!!! Trolls are part of the fun. But I also think there are some who legitimately can’t wrap their heads around how better cables can help. These folks simply are new to the discussion and can’t figure out how “the last few feet of power can make a difference when the power has travelled hundreds of miles” etc. I actually just happened on a post where someone was stating all of the usual arguments, posting links to support their case, telling everyone not to waste their money. He was not a troll, but just new to the age-old debate. Others challenged him to go hear the difference himself, and to his credit, he agreed. He clearly stated his plan for the test, and was ready to come back and say he was right. Again, to his credit, he reported back saying he clearly heard the difference a better power cord made, and indicated that he was dumbfounded as to how it could possibly make a difference. He then said “I was wrong”. Something you don’t normally hear at the end of internet debates!
So not every anti-cable poster is a troll. I completely agree it goes against common sense for a power cord to make a difference. And, don’t get me started on USB cords…. It doesn’t make any sense at all, but they make a difference! Tested the very expensive Nordost Valhalla 2 USB cord and yes it does improve the mids and treble. Bass definition was also better, however overall bass energy was reduced. Much like the Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord actually. This is in comparison to my much less expensive Audioquest Diamond USB. In the end I found the improvement to be too minimal for the silly cost, and stuck with my Audioquest’s which are decent. Of note, the length of the cord makes a massive impact and not in the way you think. Longer than 1m gives much, much better performance for both USB and power cords in my experience.
Response: I agree with your whole comment. Also the length need to be at least 3 feet for a significant difference (or influence), and it maxes out at about 8 feet. 8 feet can be impractical for all components, and would make a snake pit in some systems. So I try to have a minimum of 4 feet.